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Sunday, September 30, 2007

My family and I spent a lovely, long retreat in San Diego last weekend enjoying the beautiful weather (including some spectacular, short-lived cloudbursts), the beach, LegoLand, some excellent food and drink at my favorite restaurant, and even a couple of movies, one for me and the kids and one just for me. (Our hotel’s incredible in-room movie service was featuring, among about 20 or 30 other interesting titles, Larry Fessenden’s The Last Winter, which I regretfully couldn’t watch while my daughters were in the room.) And while at the restaurant, relaxing over filet mignon and shots of 1921 Reserve Especial, my seven-year-old daughter, sketchbook and pencil in hand, asked me to make a funny face and pose for a portrait. The result was so hilarious and wonderful, and yes, so true to life that I told her I would commission many more in the future, for display here and in my own private gallery of awesome drawings she has created. I know I just sound like a proud dad, but I really think she’s got a great, twisted eye—my very own little Ralph Steadman—and I hope I can bear to look at the way she sees me through her pencil over the coming years.

23 comments:

Girish! Long time no hear! And coming from you, that's high praise indeed. I'll pass it along!

I agree totally. She's had an incredible sense of perspective and detail for a long time, and many of her drawings naturally show the influence of anime, which she doesn't see much of but is certainly aware of.

But lately I just see something coming out in her drawings that is really exceptional, I think, and when she sprang this on me I was so delighted I had to share it!

So good to hear from you. And I really enjoyed seeing your portrait on Scanners recently. I so hope to be able to make it to Toronto sometime soon and join you all!

Come on, Bill! This was drawn the very night my hapless Dodgers were eliminated from the possibility of a divisional win! And I was in San Diego!

No, really, I was thinking of making something up like, this drawing was rendered in a middle of a tirade about Alan Parker movies or something like that. But the truth is, the little one just asked for a funny face and, with one delicious shot of tequila already partially imbibed, the wide eyes and gaping maw were all I could come up with. Oh, and the gigantic warped skull is courtesy of me too!

I hope that neither you nor your daughter take this the wrong way, but have you ever seen that David Lynch cartoon called "Dumbland"? Because I think your daughter worked on that, whether she admits it or not.

I am unaware of "Dumbland," but I will remedy that quicker than you can say Jessica Simpson. However, Shamus, I don't know why I didn't think of Munch myself, as my first title for the cartoon was "Screaming Daddy." Perhaps if I'd been holding my hands to my temples...?

I don't see the manga influence, but there's a serious underground comic sensibility here. The clarity of the linework in the ears and eyes is quite amazing. She didn't forget your wedding ring, either. That's talent! Maybe she can help me ink Directorama?

great, great pic. your daughter has talent, and a sense of humor. also, thanks for the info on the restaurant - next time I'm in san diego, and if I remember, I'll have to try it. also, I so very know the situation of not watching certain films because they are not suited for some family members. having a family has changed my viewing habits in many ways!

Dennis - I tried to e-mail this to you, but I got that "NO SPAM!" automatic reply, and the link provided to get the e-mail to you wasn't working, so I'll post it here, for all to see:

After comparing your daughter’s drawing to “Dumbland”, I looked at the Lynch cartoon again and saw that the comparison could reasonably be taken as an insult, both to you and to your daughter. I truly didn’t mean it that way. So, whether or not you’ve actually looked up “Dumbland” yet, just be aware that my intention was merely to be mildly humorous.

Dennis, I have seen that same expression many a time. She did a great job capturing it. Much better artist than I will ever be thats for sure. Sounds like you had fun in SD, hope it was the R&R you needed to reboot your mind and body.

Bill-- Don't sweat the "Dumbland" thing. I can definitely see how you might draw a connection there, but I assure you (and any child services authorities who might be lurking) that my daughter is not familiar with it or David Lynch! :) I also assure you I knew exactly in what spirit your comment was intended.

Virgil Hilts, by all that is holy! Good to hear from you! As I mentioned before, I believe I was holding forth and riveting the attention of all those in my party about the worthlessness of the Alan Parker oeuvre. Of course I was drinking to forget the fate of my Dodgers too!

Peet: This one definitely does not show any manga influence, to be sure. But other drawings she does have a definite Sailor Moon quality about them. I'll gather some up and show 'em to you sometime.

Murray: We did indeed have a great time in SD, despite the proximity of the San Diego Punk-dres. Blown call and all, that was a great game last night, and I hope the Colorado Rockies keep the momentum going all the way to the series. And I somehow knew that expression would look familiar to you!

Ah-- just caught your comment about the Rockies earlier. Colorado, eh? Well, that was a great game the other night (and it looks like they're off to a good start today), but I think I'd lean toward the Cubs, myself.

I think this needs to be your new comment signature. Or maybe your new driver's license photo. The caption could be, "Daddy holds forth."

My own daughter has drawn pictures of me that have a similar Ahab-esque look. If there was a word balloon it would probably say, "Blah-de-blah-blah Hitchcock, blah-de-blah Spielberg, blah blah blah Stan Brakhage...James! Put that down!"